No matter which mall he visits, Abdul Jabbar Fazal finds it impossible to shop in the UAE. A doorman at Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi for the past six months, he instead spends his hours — whether at work or when out and about — obliging people who request to have their pictures taken with him.
Fazal, you see, stands at 225 centimetres (nearly seven feet and four inches) tall. For comparison, the Guinness World Record title for tallest man in the world is held by Sultan Kosen from Turkey, at 251cm.
“Sometimes, I spend three to four hours a day posing for pictures,” he tells The National. “More than 2,000 pictures are snapped every day.
“In 2009, Guinness World Records approached me. They came three times in one day and measured me. After that, they called me and said: 'You are the tallest [person] in the UAE and number three in the world,” says Fazal, 58. Whether or not he still holds the record, however, is unknown.
Finding the right fit
Another reason Fazal’s trips to the mall are unfruitful is because nothing fits his frame. “My clothes are sewn by a tailor in the UAE, but it is difficult to customise the right shoes for me here. I order my shoes from Croatia, where they are made just for me. The downside is, a pair takes two to five months to get here.”
Transportation presents its own set of obstacles. Fazal says the lack of head and leg room makes it impossible for him to drive or even fit into most cars.
“My father was a farmer. So I used to help him by driving the tractor back home, which is the only vehicle I can fit into, otherwise I cannot drive. It is even hard to ride a taxi. I take the bus back home, but I have to occupy two seats to feel comfortable.
The most important advantage of being tall is that people respect me a lot, thanks be to God
Abdul Jabbar Fazal,
doorman, Emirates Palace
“It is also difficult to fly on a plane. I need to buy a business class ticket, which is expensive, but what can I do? An economy-class seat is almost impossible for me.”
Despite these inconveniences, Fazal maintains a sunny disposition and tries to find the silver lining in situations. “Sometimes, Emirates and Etihad upgrade me to business class, so I don’t have to pay from my pocket. I am also very grateful to the Emirates Palace management, as they provided me with a lengthy bed and mattress, which extends from here to there,” he says, laughing and pointing from one side to the other of the large restaurant in which we are sitting. “They provide me with everything I need. I’m happy.”
In the genes
Fazal reveals he is from a family of tall folk. His grandmother was as tall as he is and his son, who is aged 27, is almost 200cm tall, while he estimates his father stands between the two.
However, it was only at the age of 20 that Fazal hit a rapid growth spurt. “When I went to the doctors, they told me the spurt was caused by a high level of growth hormones in my brain. I only stopped growing at the age of 38.”
Basking in the glory
Fazal is basking in fame afforded to him thanks to his job at the hotel.
“When I open the car door for guests, they are surprised. They hop out and cry out excitedly: ‘Oh, wow! You're tall.’ Even when guests come together, they mostly ask to take individual and not group photos. I enjoy it because I am making guests happy.
“It is the same situation in malls. Shoppers want to take selfies with me, so I cannot buy anything. It doesn’t bother me, though. Let people enjoy and be happy. This makes me happy as well.
“Sometimes, children get scared when they see me, but I reassure them by speaking gently and trying to wipe away their fears. Most children are elated when they see me,” he says.
Fazal’s goal is to establish a charitable NGO with like-minded people and to help the needy around the world with clothing, food, home and shoes. “I'm busy at work now, but when I get free time, I'll do it, God willing.
“For the time being, I am looking for a soulmate to share my life with and enjoying spending time with my 26-year-old daughter, who is visiting the UAE,” says the door attendant, who has two children but lost his wife last year.
Standing tall
Fazal firmly believes life is better when you’re tall. “The best practical advantages are being able to replace a broken light bulb or getting things from top shelves and other high places.
“The most important advantage is that people, and especially my colleagues at the palace, respect me a lot, thanks be to God.”
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SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0